Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: Cognitive Impairment, Sleepiness, Loneliness, and Stress

Abstract The study analysed the relationship between depression in older adults and various variables related to their physical and psychological well-being (stress, loneliness, sleepiness, insomnia, pain perception, residential care home residence, and cognitive status). It also aimed to examine which of these variables showed stronger associations with depressive symptoms using an analytical model. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 495 older adults (60.8% women, 39.2% men) aged between 65 and 100 years (M = 76.31, SD = 8.26), using the VAS, ESS, COS, GDS, PSS, and RULS scales. The results indicated that psychosocial and health-related factors were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. Stress and loneliness showed the strongest associations with depressive symptoms, followed by cognitive status and sleepiness. Furthermore, residence in a residential care home and pain perception were also significantly associated with depression. In conclusion, depressive symptoms in older adults appear to be closely related to psychosocial factors such as stress and loneliness, as well as health-related factors, including cognitive status and sleepiness. Residential care home residence and pain perception also play an important role in this context.